http://www.theboldcircle.com
Brand Design and Web Design Johannesburg, Corporate Identity Design, Mobile Application Design, Graphic Design JohannesburgTue, 10 Mar 2015 10:22:16 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Game Programming in South Africahttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/game-programming-south-africa/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/game-programming-south-africa/#commentsMon, 02 Feb 2015 09:13:30 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1232There is something absolutely magical about game programming. The joy that you bring to the millions of users, the thrill that you get creating one, and the huge business prospect that this niche sector has, is adding to the charm of game programming, especially in South Africa.

Game programming in South Africa is growing by leaps and bounds. It is gradually increasing in popularity after a rather humble start in the early 1990s. After a handful of false starts and failed initiatives, game programming in SA has finally taken off on a strong foundation – essentially driven by passion and vibrant local talent.

History of Game Programming in South Africa

The credit of this perhaps goes to Travis Bulford. An enthusiast in the field of computer programming, it was his vision that laid the foundation of game programming in South Africa. The first game that was developed by him and his team was called Toxic Bunny. It won’t be wrong to say that the launch of this game in 1996 totally changed the outlook of the gaming industry in the country.

It was being viewed as a potential prospect for other enthusiasts and became a lead example that drove several other creative initiatives in the country. Talent has never been a problem for this developing sector and the passion and enthusiasm that drives the local talent pool has been extremely uplifting.

However, one basic problem that continues to plague game programming in South Africa is sufficient funding to aid future growth and development potential. Retaining talent and wooing publishers have as a result suffered as well. The idea of greener pastures and better paying jobs in other countries have been a major driver for the outward flow of creative enthusiasts from SA.

However, it would be completely wrong to paint an all gloom and doom picture for game programming in South Africa. Many small teams with amateur initiatives are moving in the right direction and new entrants in the field must understand that flexibility is a key criteria. Potential programming enthusiasts should be mentally prepared for this scenario and need to be open to the idea of working on multiple project portfolios simultaneously. It would not be wrong to say that game programming in this country is at its infancy and needs to be nurtured with care for healthy growth.

Programming enthusiasts and facilitators must look at opportunities to learn and take advantage of a broad range of technologies, formulating products that primarily focus on easy delivery and ease of use.

The Bold Circle specializes in professional game programming in South Africa and can help you to get your project off the ground.

Connect with Us today to find out more about our game development solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/game-programming-south-africa/feed/0Cross Platform Mobile Apphttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/cross-platform-mobile-app-development/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/cross-platform-mobile-app-development/#commentsMon, 02 Feb 2015 09:06:01 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1230Given the widespread range of mobile apps, operating systems, and phones working on a mind-boggling range of software and operating systems, the need for one common app has increased significantly. This is why the need for a cross platform mobile app has become so important.

How does one go about choosing a cross platform mobile app? What are the key features that would help you identify the right product that will cater to your device specific needs and help you maximize your usage across multiple devices? Here are a few key aspects to look at.

Flexibility

A cross platform mobile app is dedicated to tackling the challenges posed by various operating platforms as well as the wide range of technology that is used by them. These cross platform mobile apps help in assessing the device’s capabilities; it also facilitates the utilization of the many tools employed across these platforms. This promotes easy migration across various platforms and capitalizes the key positives for every unique ecosystem in which the mobile app operates.

Convenience

Another main requirement for any cross platform application is that the installation should be very convenient. The ease of installation and the convenience of using it is what drives traffic towards it. The easier a product is to use and execute, the higher the demand will be for it. Also, this gives consumers the option to easily choose multiple devices, running on various operating platforms, without significantly adding to the cost factor.

Cost factor

One key benefit of developing an application once and having the ability to run it on multiple platforms is the fact that it is so cost effective. The usability and effectiveness of the app are directly proportional to the cost factor. Not only is it a far more profitable concept, but you also have a much higher return on investment with a cross platform mobile app.

Conclusion

The main function of a cross platform mobile is its ability to run on multiple devices across multiple platforms. They help you to re-engineer the key features and functionality of your existing app, in a way that creates a unique leverage across multiple mobile ecosystems. It also helps to enhance the development of hybrid applications, even on an offline platform, and improve your web technology in a way that helps you optimise the existing functionality of these devices.

The Bold Circle specializes in building cross platform mobile apps and our team can work with you to design a useful, professional app that will help to boost your brand and connect with your customers. Connect with Us today to find out more about our solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/02/02/cross-platform-mobile-app-development/feed/0Web Development Needshttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/web-development-johannesburg-south-africa/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/web-development-johannesburg-south-africa/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 13:11:09 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1226Designing a website can be tricky, and the connection that you make with your audience can be the difference between a successful website and just another company website on the internet. The needs of your audience can dramatically alter your web development strategy, especially in South Africa, given the wide variety of audiences you are catering for.

Effective web development, especially targeted for a South African audience, should be able to address the following pre-requisites:

– A web design that connects with the target audience
– A design that is easy to use and functional
– Keep a positive feel, include a surprise element.

If you are wondering how all this can enhance your web development needs, especially for a South African reader base, here is a summary:

Feel and Overall Construction of Website

One of the primary aspects of web development in South Africa is how well and in what way you are able to establish that connection with your key audience. Designing a website is not just about the external appearance, but the level of interaction that it enables. Something as small as the positioning of specific information and how easily it can be read, are all crucial points to be considered.

It is always better to mark links and tabs with a separate colour, and the font should be something that is easy to read. Keeping in mind the specific needs of your South African audience, consistency and convenience need to be the hallmark of your web development in South Africa.

Readability and Space for Emotion

Given the rich cultural diversity throughout South Africa and the strong influence of this legacy on its social structure, all web development manuals must stress on the effective usage of this, while creating specific web content. Specific fonts, shapes, icons and colours don’t just enhance the readability of a particular site but also add to the overall appeal. It also helps people to bond with the site and value the association with it.

Surprise Element

One of the key attributes of successful web development in South Africa is the underlying message that it conveys. Keeping a positive undertone helps in attracting more readers too. The introduction of a positive surprise element, like a sudden quiz or a small discussion platform, will not only help spark interest in your site, but also create a greater sense of value.

Conclusion

Web development in South Africa needs to follow the primary rule of making your readers smile and providing valuable information to your audience. You need to convey a cool, confident image with your company’s website and remember – add oodles of charm.

The Bold Circle specializes in building web development in South Africa and our experienced team of web developers will work with you to design a professional, functional website for your business. Connect with Us today to find out more about our solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/web-development-johannesburg-south-africa/feed/0Boost Your Business with App Developmenthttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/mobile-app-development-can-boost-your-business/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/mobile-app-development-can-boost-your-business/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 13:03:38 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1223Mobile devices are fast becoming more popular by the day, and with millions of smartphone users around the world, your business cannot afford not to have a mobile app developed. With professional mobile app development, you can build your brand and enjoy all the benefits that come with having your own app that is targeted at your customers.

Let’s start with a few interesting facts; more than one billion of the mobile phones in the world are smartphones. Mobile internet usage is also predicted to surpass desktop internet usage any day now, and more than 50 percent of local searches are performed by mobile users. But what exactly are the benefits of having a mobile app developed for your brand?

Boost Customer Relationship

Mobile app development can help you to boost your customer engagement and build solid relationships with your target market. As an app can be downloaded to any smartphone, you will have a direct point of contact with your customer and you can use this as a support channel, a marketing channel, or just as a general way of knowing what your customers are interested in. Building customer relationships is a key factor in any growing business and an app can help you to achieve this effectively.

Cost-Effective Marketing

It can become quite expensive to use multiple methods of marketing, especially when you want to get the word out about a new product, service or event. With a mobile app, this suddenly becomes very easy and cost effective too; you are already connected to your customers and getting the message out is very easy to do. You can also use ads within your app to ensure that your audience knows about what you have to offer. This is a very cost effective marketing method.

Increase Your Sales

Almost 80 percent of smartphone users have used their mobile device at some point to make a sale. This means that you can tap into a huge potential customer base as mobile continues to grow. With professional mobile app development you can connect with more mobile customers and ensure that they know about your business, what you offer and how they can benefit from it. Increasing sales is a priority for any growing business and mobile apps can definitely help you get there.

The Bold Circle specializes in mobile app development and our team can work with you to design a useful, professional app that will help to boost your brand and connect with your customers. Connect with Us today to find out more about our solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/26/mobile-app-development-can-boost-your-business/feed/0Becoming a Professional Game Developerhttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/mobile-app-game-development-johannesburg/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/mobile-app-game-development-johannesburg/#commentsMon, 19 Jan 2015 13:26:21 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1220More and more college students in Johannesburg and Cape Town are starting to think what they want to study and major in; with so many options to go with, it is often difficult to decide, but if you love technology, game development might just be the answer. Instead of just playing the newly released games, you in fact will be creating them, through the use of game programming. You’ll also learn the benefits of professional game development for businesses and other organizations.

The first benefit that comes with game development is that you will learn many skills; most schools refer to this as a STEM program. STEM covers all of the scientific courses, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The duration of game development degrees can run from two to four years, depending on the program and the college providing it. Other courses can include programming concepts, modeling, computer graphic systems, artificial intelligence, simulation, collaborative game design and game architecture. Additionally, you might study information technology, networking and game modification development. This is ideal if you are looking to join a team that specializes in game development in Cape Town or Johannesburg, as you will help to develop these great gaming software apps.

Additionally, a game developer can choose to become involved in the end-to-end business process, or limit themselves to the programming and designing end. Other areas you can choose to work in during the game creation process is to become a producer, programmer, sound engineer, level designer, quality controller, or designer. Other career opportunities available to the graduates of Game Design are a quality assurance tester, C++ Programmer, User Interface Programmer, Simulation Support Engineer or a Mobile Developer. You might even be hired by popular companies and development teams.

Within the United States, an entry level game developer can expect to earn around $ 66,000 USD a year, with three years or less experience. In particular, compared to game designers, game developers make an average of R25,000 per month in South Africa. Additionally, a Java Developer, which is the language of many mobile apps and games, can earn around R37,000 per month.

An additional benefit to learning game development is that it can be learned entirely online, from anywhere 24/7, so long as your computer comes equipped with an internet connection and meet the program requirements. Also, as consumer demand grows for mobile apps, including e-commerce sites and games, the need for talented game developers will continue to grow over time.

The Bold Circle specializes in game development in Cape Town and Johannesburg and our experienced team can help you with developing a game or app that will work for your business. Connect with Us today to find out more about our various solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/mobile-app-game-development-johannesburg/feed/0The Three Laws of User Interface Designhttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/app-user-interface-design-johannesburg/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/app-user-interface-design-johannesburg/#commentsMon, 19 Jan 2015 13:14:28 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1218When it comes to user interface design, there are things on the user’s side that need to be considered. The goal of any user interface is to make it easier and more enjoyable for users to work with, so it’s important to always try and improve your customer experience. As a designer you should always keep the following three laws in mind when creating a new user interface or editing an existing one.

The Law of Clarity

Always remember Google and their lack of following the Law of Clarity in terms of their latest Gmail update. This law states that your user will avoid elements in the interface without a clear meaning. During a previous Google update, they moved all connected programs from Gmail, such as Calendar, Drive, Youtube and the Play Store behind an ambiguous Grid box icon. The reason that this example is important is that Google got flooded with email requests wanting to know where the other applications went. In general, since your customers are in the “Want it now, buy it now” mindset, if they cannot immediately understand the something, they will ignore it, never bothering to find out.

The Law of Defaults

The second law to keep in mind in user interface design is the Law of Defaults. This law means that your user will rarely change the default settings. Most notably is the most popular ringtone on the planet – the Nokia default ring tone. Most people never bother to change the default settings, such as their background and ringtones on their phones, nor the default fridge setting for the temperature. Defaults can be very powerful. To this end, make sure your default settings are as practical and useful as possible.

The Law of Guided Action

The third important law is the Law of Guided Action. Your user will more than likely do something if they are asked to do it. There is a large difference between asking a user to do something and expecting them to know to do it. Case in point, LinkedIn introduced its Endorsements feature and took the initiative to create highly-visible, call-to-action banners that appeared at the top of the profile pages.

To create a user interface that is both interactive and provides for the laws of clarity, defaults and guided actions, you must create an interface that makes use of the dialogue of the user, while assuming that both experienced and new users are seeing your work for the first time. Never assume all users will understand all the time and make it as easy as possible for them to use your interface.

The Bold Circle specializes in user interface design and our experienced team can help you to improve your current UI or create a brand new one for your customers. Connect with Us today to find out more about our user interface design solutions.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/19/app-user-interface-design-johannesburg/feed/0What are the Benefits of Mobile Apps?http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/benefits-of-mobile-apps/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/benefits-of-mobile-apps/#commentsWed, 14 Jan 2015 09:52:40 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1214In today’s world of “want it now, buy it now”, there are mobile apps everywhere. With these mobile apps you can track your health, complete e-commerce transactions, read books, download and listen to music, and even do personal banking. These apps are very beneficial for businesses too, which is why you should consider having a mobile app developed for your brand. Here are a few benefits to consider.

Improve Your Existing Products

Mobile apps act as an enhanced or add-on feature to an already existing product. Many companies are offering more ways for their customers to interact with their products and services; for example, they have provided a mobile application that allows customers to view data similar to that found on their website or a product directly connected to hardware. FitBit is a fitness tracking hardware item that tracks physical activities, including the measure of your steps. Its first generation launch would record and then once connected to the computer would upload the information to the website for analysis of their historical data. Newer generation launches of FitBit have connected the hardware through Bluetooth to the customer’s smartphones, requiring low energy and records data in real time.

Create a New Service or Product

Secondly, companies can use a mobile application as a new service or product. By creating a new market or new product to sell in their current market, businesses can base their entire business model around their mobile app. Take Uber, for instance. Uber is a service where a mobile app is absolutely crucial. Using the application, a user can request safe and reliable transportation and even select the driver they would like to drive them to the destination they entered into the app. Their credit card is charged and the driver’s is credited. It’s an easy system and it’s based entirely around an app.

A Lead Generation Tool

Thirdly, mobile apps can be used as a lead generation and marketing tool. Here companies are utilizing their mobile applications to promote better engagement and communication with fans, potential customers and current customers. An example of this technique is Empire Loan which is using their app to allow potential users to take pictures of items they are looking to sell, then send those pictures to the nearest Empire Loan store, where if they are interested in the item for resale, will contact user with a quote, and ask them to bring item to store, making the transaction more convenient for both Empire Loan and its customers.

Mobile apps can benefit your business in other ways too, including cost reduction, customer and employee satisfaction, sales performance and productivity gains, especially when using a custom made app that allows more flexibility. That is why you can benefit from having a reliable mobile application development team in South Africa that can help you develop the perfect app.

The Bold Circle specializes in mobile apps and our experienced design team can help you to create a brand new app for your brand.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/benefits-of-mobile-apps/feed/0Choosing the Right Mobile Development Partnerhttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/mobile-development-partner-south-africa-johannesburg/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/mobile-development-partner-south-africa-johannesburg/#commentsWed, 14 Jan 2015 09:43:11 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1211There comes a time when a business is doing so well that it is time to find a larger market to showcase their products and services. If this sounds familiar, you need to consider developing a mobile app for your business; but in order to make this happen, you need to choose the right partner that specializes in mobile development in Johannesburg.

Here are five key elements to look for when choosing the right partner or even an agency to work with, as laid out by the CEO of Y Media Labs, Ashish Toshniwal.

The first quality Toshniwal advocates is agility. Agility as a quality that allows for a flexible mindset, a team that can adapt their processes to your business’ evolving needs. In other words, their approach to each client is not the same and does not take a cookie-cutter, one-size fits-all approach. Their practice should be to come up with solutions quickly, and harness the opportunity found in the ever-changing mobile space. The benefit of this is that your app will be fine-tuned and can then be scaled as necessary.

The next important quality is strategy. Mobile application developers must use strategic planning at the forefront of their technology and design work. They will use constant strategic brainstorming, planning and implementation, which are all critical to achieving your goal of establishing brand presence and increasing user revenue and reach.

When it comes to mobile development in Johannesburg, look for an agency that uses authentic collaboration, which requires drive, patience and active listening, because it promotes insightful brainstorming, speedy problem solving and creative thinking by building on each other’s thoughts. These agencies also make conscious effort to regularly meet with the clients and utilize their unique experiences, creativity and vision to facilitate amazing app creation.

Another area that the agency should excel at is their commitment to the user experience, focusing on more than just good graphics, but also is designed to give users a satisfying and emotional response to the app. Toshniwal states, “Admirable User Experience and User Interface designers start with the customer experience they are looking for and then work back towards the technology.”

The last key element of an app developer or agency is that they should be results-driven. This is probably the most important aspect to look for, because they will have a proven track record of successes across the range of business types, from disruptive startups to Fortune 500 companies. Carefully review the firm’s mobile products for insights to its capabilities.

The Bold Circle specializes in mobile development in Johannesburg and our team can work with you to design a useful, professional app that will help to boost your brand and connect with your customers.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2015/01/14/mobile-development-partner-south-africa-johannesburg/feed/0Web and Software Programming Johannesburghttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2014/11/07/web-software-programming-johannesburg/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2014/11/07/web-software-programming-johannesburg/#commentsFri, 07 Nov 2014 10:23:51 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1200Are you sick of working with a team of one?

Our local (South Africa) ongoing development and support teams consist of professional designers, developers and project managers.

The Bold Circle Web and Software Department provides high quality IT solutions, tailored to meet your business objectives and developed locally in South Africa.
We are proud to have friendly, professional and experienced project managers on board, who can guide you through every step from concept to completion.

We program custom software tailored to your specific requirements. Whether it’s a custom CMS, an e-commerce site or a complex integration project with multiple systems. If you can get to it via a web browser or a mobile device, The Bold Circle can help.

The Bold Circle’s experienced producers and project managers can help turn your ideas into reality.

We offer an obligation free initial consultation to new clients. Connect with one of our specialist producers/project managers to discuss your requirements.

From there we can write a proposal document including a fixed cost and time frame, which you can review and sign off on before we commence work.

Do not hesitate to “sneak peek” in some of our recent works or simply Connect with The Bold Circle to receive more information for y0ur project.

]]>http://www.theboldcircle.com/2014/11/07/web-software-programming-johannesburg/feed/0App Developers in South Africahttp://www.theboldcircle.com/2014/10/30/app-developers-south-africa-johannesburg/
http://www.theboldcircle.com/2014/10/30/app-developers-south-africa-johannesburg/#commentsThu, 30 Oct 2014 09:57:52 +0000http://www.theboldcircle.com/?p=1195It is not easy to find a good App Development company in Johannesburg (South Africa). Our elite team of app designers and developers use state-of-the-art technologies to develop high-end mobile applications.

Our mobile applications, developed locally in South Africa, solve real-world problems and scale with success.

Each mobile app we design meets practical functionality. Our App Design team truly believe that apps should be as simple as possible. We ensure that every designed element has a purpose and enhances to the overall user experience within a mobile app.

Our development team has expertise in all phases of development, beginning from conceptualization to mobile design and top tier coding. The Bold Circle is working closely with clients to deliver custom mobile app solutions.